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While the 2000s gave us a lot of truly iconic films (Freaky Friday! How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days!), they also delivered some total head-scratchers. From problematic themes to bizarre premises and just awkward humor, plenty of these flicks have left us wondering how they even made it past a pitch meeting.
Nonetheless, these 2000s moviessomehow landed on the big screen, and now, we get to reflect on the cringiest movies of the era. Here are the top eight that we're still shocked actually got made.
Keep reading for the 8 cringiest '00s movies, like, ever.
1. The Cat in the Hat (2003)
Universal Pictures
The Cat in the Hat was supposed to bring Dr. Seuss' beloved book to life, but instead, it turned into a fever dream of over-the-top antics and unsettling vibes.
Mike Myers stars as the mischievous feline, but his exaggerated mannerisms and strange costuming made the character arguably more creepy than charming. Sure, the film does a good job of capturing the whimsical world Dr. Seuss imagined, but its chaotic energy is just scary for some kids.
2. Disaster Movie (2008)
Lionsgate
Disaster Movie tried to cash in on the success of the Scary Movie franchise, but it ended up being a catastrophe. It follows an attractive group of twenty-somethings who encounter all kinds of tragic events, from earthquakes and tornadoes to asteroids.
The film had a lackluster plot and threw together a series of pop culture references that just weren't funny. The cast's performances were also cringy, and not even a cameo from Kim Kardashian (yes, you read that right) could save the premise.
3. Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
MiraMax
When Bridget Jones's Diary first premiered in theaters in 2001, it was well-received as a charming romantic comedy. But looking back, it's hard to ignore the movie's sexism, from relentless jokes about Bridget's weight to the workplace harassment she's subjected to.
That's why Bridget Jones's Diary feels really outdated now, so much so that even author Helen Fielding admitted to thinking certain elements wouldn't fly with audiences today.
4. The Hottie and the Nottie (2008)
Regent Releases
Paris Hilton may remain an icon in pop culture to this day, but her participation in The Hottie and the Nottie was still problematic.
She starred as an unattainable "hottie" who only agrees to go on a date with a guy if he can also find a man for her unattractive best friend. The whole plot is mean-spirited, and in 2025, the rudeness just would not resonate with viewers at all.
5. Epic Movie (2007)
Regency
Epic Movie attempted to spoof some of the decade's biggest blockbusters, but instead of clever satire, it turned out simply unfunny.
Featuring actors like Kal Penn, Adam Campbell, Jennifer Coolidge, and Jaya Mays, the film crammed in references to films like The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and more. It did manage to have a strong opening at the box office, but in hindsight, Epic Movie feels lazy and unoriginal.
6. The Happening (2008)
Spyglass/20th Century
Written, directed, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan, The Happening was a science fiction thriller that follows a science teacher, played by Mark Wahlberg, and his wife, depicted by Zooey Deschanel, as they try to flee an airborne plague that pushes people to take their own lives.
The premise might've had potential, but in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and so many mental health concerns today, it's hard to imagine that a movie about such touchy subject matter would get made in 2025.
7. Snakes on a Plane (2006)
New Line Cinema
Snakes on a Plane is the perfect example of a movie so outlandish that it becomes its own kind of cult classic. It revolves around an FBI agent, played by Samuel L. Jackson, who's trying to protect a witness aboard a flight that is, of course, filled with venomous snakes released by an assassin.
There's nothing inherently wrong with the premise of Snakes on a Plane, but the execution is just ridiculous and over the top.
8. The Number 23 (2007)
New Line Cinema
Last but certainly not least is The Number 23, a film that took Jim Carrey out of his comedic comfort zone and into the world of psychological thrillers. Unfortunately, the result wasn't great.
He plays a man who becomes obsessed with a book centered around the number 23 and believes it holds eerie connections to his own life. Jim Carrey's performance is solid, yet the concept itself feels more like a cringy SNL movie trailer.
Which of the 2000s movies do you think is too cringy to get made today? Check out 8 "Outdated" Early 2000s Fashion Trends That Aged Horribly for more hot takes.
